Search Underway for Escaped Inmate, Upstate Deputies Say

A search is underway for an inmate who escaped the Greenwood County Detention Center Tuesday afternoon, according to Greenwood deputies.

Author:
wltx

Published:
11:37 PM EDT August 15, 2017

Updated:
11:38 PM EDT August 15, 2017

Deputies are searching for an inmate who has escaped from the Greenwood County Detention Center, according to the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies are searching for Nathaniel Tyler Wideman, 22, who is believed to have escaped at about 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Greenwood County Sheriff Dennis Kelly. Wideman was most recently arrested for possession of a stolen firearm and third-degree assault and battery, according to Kelly in a Tuesday afternoon briefing.

Wideman was last seen on the roof of the detention center in an orange prison uniform jumpsuit, according to Kelly. Kelly says the orange uniform on top of the roof caught the eye of a county employee, who alerted a court officer. Authorities say they later found Wideman's orange top discarded in a drain.

While Kelly says Wideman's escape is still under investigation and they are focused on his capture, it appears he scaled wall and climbed a fence to access the roof while out in the prison yard with six other inmates for recreation time.

Wideman is described as a black male with black dreadlocks and brown eyes, who stands 5'10" and weighs approximately 130 lbs.

If you see or Wideman or have any information on his whereabouts, deputies ask you to call 9-1-1 immediately. Authorities are offering a $250 reward for information leading to his arrest.